Natural History

RZHRG continues to follow a cohort of 85 long-term survivors--all women--in Kigali, Rwanda. Many of these women first tested HIV positive in 1986, survived the 1994 genocide, and are alive and well in 2005. There is great scientific interest in why these women remain healthy despite being HIV infected for nearly 25 years. Approximately 45 women are on antiretrovirals.

This unique group of women provides an excellent opportunity to further analyze host and receiver genetics related to the progression of the HIV virus.

Survival Probability: Rwandan women with HIV have survived over 25 years with the infection, a cohort continually studied by RZHRG